Draw Poker with Multiple Redraws

ABSTRACT

A wagering game which allows multiple re-rolls (or re-deals) of elements to form further poker hands. The player can place bets on an initial and subsequent poker hands with payouts based on a number of elements that are going to be re-activated (re-rolled or re-dealt). An optional sixth element (e.g., die) can be used wherein wagers can also be placed on the outcome therein.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit to provisional application No. 60/807,161, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. This application is related to the following seven application numbers, all seven of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties: Ser. Nos. 11/224,674; 11/224,686; 11/224,687; 11/469,841; 11/428,368; 11/419,367; 11/218,751.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present inventive concept relates to a wagering game, and more particularly to a game which relates to draw poker using dice or cards.

2. Description of the Related Art

Draw poker is a popular casino game wherein players make a wager, and are then dealt five cards, and then the player can replace any number of the five cards to form a final hand. The wager is resolved based on a poker rank of the final hand.

What is needed is a variation of draw poker which can provide for more excitement and play options than the standard game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an aspect of the present invention to provide an exciting wagering game.

The above aspects can be obtained by a method that includes (a) receiving a first wager from a player on a first poker prediction; (b) generating randomly a first poker hand using at least two elements; (c) selecting, by a player, selected elements out of the at least elements; (d) receiving a second wager from the player on a second poker prediction; (e) regenerating the selected elements to form a second poker hand; (f) resolving the first wager by determining whether the first poker prediction matches the first poker hand, and if so then paying the first wager according to a first payout; and (g) resolving the second wager by determining whether the second poker prediction matches the second poker hand, and if so then paying the second wager according to a second payout.

These together with other aspects and advantages which will be subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present invention, will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of implementing a method, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary betting layout which can be used to receive bets, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method to implement a multi-player poker game, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary playing table for the multi-player poker game, according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary computer hardware that can be used to implement an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

The present general inventive concept relates to a method, system, and computer readable storage which allows a casino to allow players to play a wagering game which allows a player to wager on and form successive poker hands. Winning wagers placed by players are paid to the players by the house while losing wagers placed by the players are taken by the house (casino).

The embodiments described herein can be played with any type of random indicia generator, such as cards or dice.

Table I illustrates one example of a set of dice with respective card values. It is noted that the layouts illustrated in Table I are just exemplary, and different card values and/or number of dice can be used. Note that each die is different. It does not matter which card value has which position on each die relative to the other values on that particular die. Note that the dice can be rolled simultaneously or in succession. If the dice are rolled in succession, then bets can be made on the next roll each of die in addition to any prior bets being made on hands that will be made by multiple dice.

TABLE I Die #1 (9h, 10c, Jd, Qs, Kh, Ac) Die #2 (9c, 10d, Js, Qh, Kc, Ad) Die #3 (9d, 10s, Jh, Qc, Kd, As) Die #4 (9s, 10h, Jc, Qd, Ks, Ah) Die #5 (9, 10, J, Q, K, A of “All Suits”, which shows a suit in each corner of face)

The five dice in Table I can be used to form poker hands. Of course other configurations of dice can be used as well (with other indicia on the sides), and the dice shown in Table is merely one example. Dice can be used with any card values indicated on each side of each die. An optional sixth die can also be used not to form part of the poker hand but for other purposes (for example so bets can be placed on the outcome of the sixth die and/or an outcome on the sixth die can terminate the game). The sixth die can have the following sides: hearts, spades, clubs, diamonds, sting, devil. Of course, other configurations of the sixth die can be used as well. The devil side, if rolled, can terminate the game.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of implementing a method, according to an embodiment.

The method can begin with operation 100, wherein wager(s) are received from player(s). Players can place their wagers on respective betting areas, such as those illustrated in FIG. 2.

From operation 100, the method can proceed to operation 102, wherein the player (or a dealer) rolls dice to form a first poker hand. Other random indicia generating mechanisms can be used as well, such as cards, tiles, etc.

From operation 102, the method can proceed to operation 104, which resolves wager(s) placed in operation 100 based on an outcome of the dice in operation 102. For example, wagers that were placed in operation 100 in one of the betting areas in the roll 5 dice row 202 can now be resolved based on the result from operation 102. In operation 100, the player is betting one which hand(s) (or hand ranks) the first poker hand will be (e.g., a royal flush, etc.) If the player predicted correctly, the player will win his wager, otherwise the wager will lose.

Form operation 104, the method can proceed to operation 106, wherein the player selects which dice (or die) out of the dice to re-roll. The player can do this by indicating to the dealer which dice (or die) he has selected. The player can select any number of dice to re-roll, or alternatively can be limited in the number (e.g., the player can only re-roll 1 to 3 dice).

From operation 106, the method can proceed to operation 108, which receives additional wagers. For example, player(s) can now place wagers (at their discretion) in other rows (for example, the draw 3 dice row 204, the draw 2 dice row 206 or the draw 1 die row 208). The player is wagering herein on a second poker hand to be formed (in operation 110). For example, the player may predict that the second poker hand formed in operation 110 will be three of a kind, and thus, the player places a wager on the appropriate betting area for three of a kind. A different row (or section on the playing field) can be used depending on how many dice are to be re-rolled. For example, a player can bet on a three of a kind for the case when only one die is being re-rolled. If the player is re-rolling two dice, then the player can bet on a three of a kind for the case when two dice are being re-rolled. If the player is re-rolling three dice, then the player can bet on a three of a kind for the case when three dice are being re-rolled. Typically, the player would make the wager in operation 108 knowing how many dice (or die) the player will select to re-roll. Thus, operation 108 can also be performed before operation 106.

From operation 108, the method can proceed to operation 110, wherein the player (or the dealer) re-rolls the selected dice (or die) to form a second poker hand.

From operation 108, the method proceeds to operation 110, which resolves any additional wagers placed (such as those placed in operation 106). In operation 106, the player was betting on which poker hand(s) will be formed in operation 110. If the player had bet correctly, then the player wins his or her wager, otherwise the player has lost the wager.

From operation 112, the method can proceed to operation 114, which determines whether the game is over. The player may be continued to re-roll an infinite or finite number of tries. Additionally (or alternatively), the game can continue until a terminating condition occurs. For example, a terminating condition can be when five aces (or another predetermined hand) is the last resulting hand that was rolled (e.g., after operation 108). Another terminating condition can be whether a particular image (e.g., a “sting” image) appears on the sixth die (if the sixth die is used). Another terminating condition can be whether the shooter chooses to fold (not to roll any more).

Thus, in operation 114, if a terminating condition has not occurred, then the method can return to operation 106, wherein the player can continue to make additional wagers and re-roll the dice. If a terminating condition has occurred, then the game can end.

It is noted that the operations in FIG. 1 can be performed in any sensible order. For example, operations 106 and 108 can be interchanged, for example, the player can place any additional wager(s) before selecting which dice to re-roll. As another example, operation 104 (which resolves wagers bet on the first poker hand) can be performed along with operation 112 (which resolves wagers bet on the second poker hand). Or all wagers can be resolved once the game has ended (a terminating condition has occurred). These are merely a few examples of how the order of operations can vary.

It is noted that the game can be played “craps style,” that is, there is one shooter that bets and rolls (and can make the decision in operation 106), but other players can also place bets on the outcomes of the rolls as well.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary betting layout which can be used to receive bets, according to an embodiment.

The poker hand row 200 contains various poker hands that can be formed. The player can make the wager on the first poker hand using betting areas located in the roll 5 dice row 202. For example, if the player predicts that a three of a kind will be rolled (or dealt) on the first roll (or deal) then the payer can place his wager (e.g., by placing a chip) in the three of a kind betting area in the roll 5 dice row 202. The payout is 25/1. Although it is noted that the payouts shown in FIG. 1 are merely exemplary and have not been computed mathematically. Payouts inside each betting area are the payout to be paid for a winning bet placed therein, while losing bets are taken.

The draw 3 dice row 204 contains many betting areas (one for each of the poker hands in the poker hand row 200). The draw 3 dice row 204 is used to place a wager on the second poker hand (e.g., operation 106) if three dice are going to be re-rolled. The draw 2 dice row 206 is used to place a wager on the second poker hand (e.g., operation 106) if two dice are going to be re-rolled. The draw 1 die row 208 is used to place a wager on the second poker hand (e.g., operation 106) if one die is going to be re-rolled.

Typically, bets would not be made in more than one row out of the draw 3 dice row 204, draw 2 dice row 206, and draw 1 die row 208. This is because the player is going to re-roll either three dice, two dice, or one die.

A sixth die bet row 210 is used to place bets on an sixth die (when one is being used). The sixth die can have six sides, for example: hearts; clubs; diamonds; spades; “sting”; “devil”. The sting can be black and the devil red (or vice versa). Thus, each side of the die has a color and the player can also place a bet on the color of the outcome of the sixth die (e.g., red black). The player can also place a bet on which side will be the outcome (e.g., hearts, clubs, diamonds, spades, sting, devil).

An example of the game will now be presented, using dice as indicated in Table 1 with an additional sixth (extra) die with the sides (hearts, clubs, spades, diamonds, devil, sting). The sixth extra die is not used to form poker hands and is only used to bet on as a “side bet.” Lisa walks up to a table in the casino and places a $5 wager in the one pair betting area in the roll 5 dice row (operation 100). Lisa also places a $10 wager in the straight betting area in the roll 5 dice row (operation 100). Lisa now rolls six dice (operation 102). The five dice (not including the additional sixth/extra die) form the following hand: 9 hearts, 9 clubs, ten spades, king of spades, ace of all suits. The extra die rolls a heart. The poker hand formed from the five dice (not including the extra sixth die) forms one pair (a pair of nines). Thus, Lisa's $5 wager on one paid wins even money but her bet on the straight loses (operation 104). Now Lisa decides to keep the pair of 9's and re-roll the other three dice (operation 106) (plus the extra sixth dice is always rolled for a total of four dice to roll again). Before Lisa rolls, Lisa places a $25 bet on the three of a kind betting area in the draw 3 dice row (since Lisa is rolling three dice which form a poker hand) (operation 108). Lisa also places a $1 wager on the diamond in the sixth die betting row (operation 108). Lisa now rolls (operation 110): king spades; 9 diamonds; jack of all suits, and the extra dice rolls a diamond. Thus, now the dice are as follows: 9 hearts; 9 clubs; 9 diamonds; jack of all suits; king spades; and the sixth dice is a diamond. The poker hand forms three of a kind, thus Lisa's bet on three of a kind wins and she wins a payout of 4:1 on her $25 bet (operation 112). The sixth die is a diamond which matches Lisa's bet in the sixth die betting row and thus Lisa wins a 5:1 payout on the sixth die bet (operation 112). Lisa now decides to re-roll the jack of all suits and the kind of spades (operation 106), and thus she re-rolls three dice (including the sixth die) (operation 110). Before she rolls (operation 110), she places a $100 wager on the four of a kind betting area in the draw 2 dice row (operation 108). Lisa also places a $1 wager on club in the sixth die betting row (operation 108). The three dice are now rolled: 10 hearts, ace of all suits, and the sixth die rolls a “sting” symbol. Thus, the final poker hand is now: 9 hearts; 9 clubs; 9 diamonds; 10 hearts; ace of all suits; and the sixth die is sting. Since the hand does not form a four of a kind, the $100 wager loses. Since the sixth die is not a club, the $1 wager loses. Since the sixth die rolled a “sting” symbol, the game is now over. A new game can begin, wherein all six dice are rolled anew and brand new bets can be accepted.

In a further embodiment, a “Texas Hold'em” style poker game can be implemented between multiple players.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method to implement a multi-player poker game, according to an embodiment.

The method can start with operation 300, wherein each player is dealt X cards and Y community cards are dealt. For example, each player can be dealt five cards (x=5) while two community cards can be dealt (y=2). It can be appreciated that any number of cards can be used for X and Y. All cards are typically dealt face down, and players are not allowed to view their own (or other players') cards. For purposes of the flowchart logic, N starts as being equal to 1.

From operation 300, the method proceeds to operation 302, wherein each player views his or her Nth card. Thus, if N=1, then each player is allowed to view their first card. However, players can only see their own Nth card but not the other players' Nth card. In an alternative embodiment, the player may be allowed to view all of the player's own cards at any time (but still cannot see other players' cards).

From operation 302, the method can proceed to operation 304, which conducts an Nth betting round and players contribute to the Nth pot. For example, if only the first card has been viewed (N=1) then this would be the first betting round. A betting round can be conducted as known in the poker art, for example, each player can go around the table and raise, call, or fold. A betting round is well known in games such as Texas Hold'em. For example, a first player can raise $1 by putting $1 into the pot, and then the other players all have to put in the $1 or fold. Other players can also raise, whereupon all of the other players would have to match the prior raises. In the end, all players that have not folded have put an equal amount of chips (money) into the pot.

Using a final pot is optional according to house rules, but if a final pot is being used then all players must place an amount (e.g., $1) in the final pot during each betting round. The final pot does not get resolved until the last hand of the game.

From operation 304, the method proceeds to operation 306, wherein all of the Nth cards are revealed (either turned face up or dealt from the deck face up) to all players. If N=1, then all players will reveal (turn face up) their first card.

From operation 306, the method can proceed to operation 308, which resolves the Nth card pot. The best hand using the N cards win, wherein the best hand is determined based on predetermined rules which can vary for different values of N. For example, see Table II below, which shows how winning hands using each value of N (and N+M for the community cards) will be evaluated.

TABLE II Cards used Evaluation method 1 high card wins 2 blackjack. Best 2 card hand 3 3-card poker. Best hand. 4 3-card poker. Best 3 card hand from 4 cards 5 5 card stud poker. Best hand 6 5 card stud poker. Best 5 card hand from six cards 7 5 card stud poker. Best 5 card hand from seven cards

For example, according to Table II, when the first card only is revealed and the first pot is resolved, the cards are evaluated based on the high card (cards can be scored according to their standard poker rank). If all players have the same card, the suit can be used to break the tie (or alternatively, the players who tie can share the pot). As another example, when the second card is revealed (and the first card has already been revealed), then according to Table II, the best two card blackjack hand (closest hand to a point total of 21) wins. Of course, in operation 304, players should bet based on how good their respective hands are based on the current evaluation method. Any other rules and combinations of rules can be used in place of Table II. For example a winning hand for a particular number of cards may be the lowest (lowest ranking poker hand) as opposed to the highest.

Note that different methods can have different results. For example, in Table II, the entry for 5 cards could instead of “5 card stud poker. Best hand” could be “5 card stud poker. Worst hand.” Worst hand is a where the lowest ranking poker hand wins (instead of the best ranking poker hand win). Thus, depending on the particular method used to determine the winner for the particular number of cards, different winners could result.

Thus, in operation 308, each players' best hand is formed (according to the method for the Nth card, e.g., see Table II), and the player with the best hand compared to the other players wins the Nth pot.

From operation 308, the method can proceed to operation 310, which determines whether N=X. In other words, it is determined if all of the players' cards have been revealed and respective pots resolved. If not, then the method can return to operation 302 (after N is increased by one).

If it is determined in operation 310 that all of the player cards have been revealed and resolved (e.g., there are five cards dealt to each player, and all five cards are revealed and thus there have been five betting rounds), then the method can now proceed to operation 312, wherein M starts at one. M represents the current community card being used.

In operation 312, a betting round is now conducted for the Mth community card. This is done similar to operation 304, but the next hand being bet on will now be resolved based on a single community card (the Mth card). If a final pot is being used then players also contribute a wager into the final pot (e.g., $1 each).

From operation 312, the method can proceed to operation 314, which reveals the Mth community card by turning it face up (or alternatively dealing it face up from the deck).

From operation 314, the method can proceed to operation 316, which resolves the Mth community card pot by applying the method for the Mth community card (e.g., see Table II) and determining which player has the best hand. Different evaluating methods can be used depending on the value of M (which card was last revealed). If Table II is being used, then simply add X+M to determine which row to use (e.g., if we are currently evaluating hands after the first community card has been revealed, and each player was dealt five cards), then the card currently being used to resolve the latest betting round is the sixth card.

From operation 316, the method can proceed to operation 318, which determines if M=Y−1. In other words, it determines if the last community card revealed was the second to last one. If not, then the method can return to operation 312 while increasing M by one. In this way, all of the community cards are processed this way but for the last one.

If the determination in operation 318 determines that all community cards have been revealed but for the last community card, then the method proceeds to operation 320 which completes a betting round for the Yth (last) community card. This should also be the last overall card on the table to be revealed (the X+Yth card). Player's contribute to the Yth card pot (Yth betting round pot).

From operation 320, the method proceeds to operation 322 which reveals the Yth (last) community card by turning it face up (or dealing it face up).

From operation 322, the method proceeds to operation 324, which resolves the final hand by determining which hand is the best hand using the evaluation method for the last hand. If Table II is being used, then the last evaluation method would be to take the best 5 card poker hand out of the 7 available cards (each player can use only their own respective cards (but not other players' cards) plus the community cards to form their poker hand). Thus the player with the best hand wins the Yth betting round pot.

If a final pot is being used, then the winner of the Yth card pot also wins the final pot in addition to the Yth card pot.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary playing table for the multi-player poker game, according to an embodiment.

A first player's hand 400, a second player's hand 402, a third player's hand 404, and a fourth player's hand 406 are initially dealt face down. A first community card 408 and a second community card 410 are both dealt face down. A current pot 414 can be used to collect money for the current betting round, while a final pot 412 can be used to collect money for the final pot (final hand involving last revealed community card).

Of course it can be appreciated that any number of cards can be used to form the player's hand (e.g., 1 to 10) and any number of cards can be used for community cards (e.g., 0 to 10).

An example of the game illustrated in FIG. 3 will now be presented, with the rules illustrated in Table II. Hands can be ranked using standard poker rankings. Stan, Lisa, John, and Stacy are all seated around the table in that order. All of the cards are dealt face down. All of the player's now view their first card but do not reveal it to the other players (although each player can only see their first card but not their other cards). Stan checks/Lisa raises $1/John calls for $1/Stacy calls for $1/Stan folds. So now there is $3 in the first card (current) pot. Now, all players turn their first card up. Stan has a three clubs, Lisa has a jack of diamonds, John has a ten of spades, and Stacy has a nine of clubs. Stan has folded so he is not eligible to win the first card pot. Lisa has the highest card so Lisa wins the $3 pot.

Now each player can view their second card (but no other cards). Since Stan went last now it is Lisa's turn to start. Lisa raises $2. John folds. Stacy calls the $2 and raises another $1. Stan folds. Lisa calls for the $1. Now all players turn over their second card face up. Lisa's second card is a ten of spades. John's second card is a two of clubs. Stacy's second card is an Ace of spades. Stan's second card is an eight of hearts. Since Lisa and Stacy are the only two player's left, their hands are compared. According to Table II, for the second card, the best blackjack hand wins. Lisa's blackjack hand is a 20, and Stacy's blackjack hand is a 20 (an ace can be one or eleven in blackjack). Since both hands tie, Lisa and Stacy split the second card pot of $6, thus each takes $3.

Now each player can view their third card. John raises $2. Stacy calls $2. Stan calls for $2 and raises $1. Lisa folds. John calls the $1 and Stacy folds. Now all players turn their third card face up. Only John and Stan are left. All players now reveal their third card. Stan's third card is three spades. Lisa's third card is seven clubs. John's third card is two hearts. And Stacy's third card is King hearts. John's three card poker hand is pair of two's. Stan's three card poker hand is a pair of threes. Thus, Stan wins the third card pot (which has $8 in it). In an embodiment, flushes are not allowed in three card poker hands, although in an alternate embodiment flushes will be allowed.

Now each player can view their fourth card. Stacy checks. Stan checks. Lisa checks. John checks. Thus, this pot has $0. Although in an alternative embodiment, each player may be required to place a mandatory ante (e.g., $1). The player's reveal their fourth cards as follows: Stan has a two spades. Lisa reveals a five clubs. John reveals an ace spades. Stacy reveals a 10 clubs. Stan has the best three card hand out of the four cards (pair of threes) and wins whatever is in the pot.

Now it's Stan's turn. Stan checks. Lisa raises $3. John calls Lisa's $3 raise. Stacy folds. Stan folds. According to Table II, the method to evaluate each player's five cards is best five card stud hand out of five cards. Lisa has a pair of jacks, while John has two pairs (aces and twos). Thus John has the best five card hand and wins the $6 in the five card pot.

Now players bet on the six card hand without being able to see the first community card. Lisa checks. John raises $1. Stacy calls for the $1. Stan calls for the $1 and raises another $1. Lisa calls for $2. John calls for the $1. Stacy calls for the $1. Now the first community card is revealed, a six of hearts. According to Table II, the evaluation method is the best five card hand out of the six cards. Now, the first community card is turned over (or dealt) to reveal a queen of hearts. John has the highest hand with his two pairs. Thus, John wins the six card pot of $8

Now players bet on the seven card (last) hand without being able to see the second (last) community card. John raises $2. Stacy folds. Stan calls for $2. Lisa calls for $2 and raises $1. Stan calls for $1. John calls for $1. The second (and last) community card is revealed to reveal a jack of hearts. Lisa has three jacks. Stan has a pair of threes. John has two pairs (aces and two's) Stacy has a straight (10, jack, queen, king, ace). Had Stacy not folded, Stacy would be the winner since a straight beats three of a kind. But since Stacy folded, out of the three remaining players, Lisa wins with her three of a kind, thus she wins the pot of $10.

In a further embodiment, a final pot could be used. If a final pot is used, then for each betting round, each player puts an amount (e.g., $1) into the final pot. Thus at the end of the game, Lisa would also win the final pot since she won the final hand. If each player had to place $1 in the final bet at each betting round, there would be $28 in the final pot for Lisa to take.

Cards generated in any embodiment described herein can be drawn using a standard deck of 52 cards or any type of special deck (e.g. a Spanish deck, etc.), drawn using a single deck, multiple decks, or infinite deck (replacement cards allowed with equal probability as prior drawn cards). Dice can also be used of any kind, including standard dice (with numbers one to six) or dice with special symbols (other than cards), etc. Further, dice can have a different number of sides than six.

Electronic versions of the methods described herein can also be implemented which use digital cards (on an output device) instead of physically deal playing cards (as described above).

In an electronic version, the odds of the additional wagers (e.g., the wagers placed in operation 108) after the initial roll can be computed in real time. Thus, for example, if the player had rolled 3 clubs, 3 spades, 3 hearts, 4 diamonds, 10 spades, and the player wishes to hold the three 3's. Then, real time updated odds can be displayed to the player for each wager, for example, the odds for four of a kind can be displayed based on the odds of the player actually rolling four of a kind in this situation.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary computer hardware that can be used to implement an embodiment of the present invention.

A processing unit 500 can be a microprocessor and related structure (e.g., cache) which is connected to an input device 502 (such as a mouse, touch screen, buttons, keyboard, etc.). The processing unit 500 can also be connected to an output device 504 (e.g., touch screen, LCD screen, monitor, etc.) The processing unit 500 can also be connected to a network device 506 which can connect the system to a network (e.g., LAN, Internet, or any other computer communications network), and any other device 508 which is known in the art to be connected to an electronic gaming machine (e.g., comp card reader, payment dispenser, etc.) The processing unit 500 can also be connected to a RAM 510 and a ROM (not pictured) and a storage device 512 (which can be a CD/DVD reader, hard drive, etc.) The processing unit 500 can also be connected to a financial device 514 which is used to accept payment (e.g., a cash acceptor, etc.) and to make payments (coin hopper, etc.)

Further, the order of any of the operations described herein can be performed in any order and wagers can be placed/resolved in any order. Any operations described herein may also be optional. Any embodiments herein can also be played in electronic form and programs and/or data for such can be stored on any type of computer readable storage medium (e.g. CD-ROM, DVD, disk, etc.)

The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification and, thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention that fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

1. A method to play a wagering game, the method comprising: receiving a first wager from a player on a first poker prediction; generating randomly a first poker hand using at least two elements; selecting, by a player, selected elements out of the at least elements; receiving a second wager from the player on a second poker prediction; regenerating the selected elements to form a second poker hand; resolving the first wager by determining whether the first poker prediction matches the first poker hand, and if so then paying the first wager according to a first payout; and resolving the second wager by determining whether the second poker prediction matches the second poker hand, and if so then paying the second wager according to a second payout.
 2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the second payout is based on a number of elements selected by the player during the selecting.
 3. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising repeating the selecting, receiving the second wager, and the resolving the second wager until a terminating condition occurs.
 4. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein the terminating condition comprises generating a predetermined symbol on an extra element not used to form the first poker hand and not used to form the second poker hand.
 5. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein the terminating condition comprises when the player decides to fold.
 6. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein the terminating condition comprise when the second poker hand is a predetermined hand.
 7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the receiving the second wager uses a table with at least two rows, each row comprising a plurality of betting areas for particular poker hands, each row requires a particular number of selected elements.
 8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein if the first poker prediction does not match the first hand, then the first wager is taken by a house.
 9. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein if the second poker prediction does not match the second hand, then the second wager is taken by the house.
 10. A method to play a wagering game, the method comprising: dealing a hand to each player in a group of players; forming a first pot by conducting a betting round among the group; revealing X cards of each player's hand; determining which player has a better hand based on predetermined rules for an X card hand; distributing the first pot based on the determining; forming a second pot by conducing a betting round among the group; evaluating which player has a better hand based on predetermined rules for an X+1 card hand; and distributing the second pot based on the evaluating.
 11. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the predetermined rules for the X card hand are different than the predetermined rules for the X+1 card hand.
 12. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein before the forming the first pot, allowing each player to view their respective X card hand.
 13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein before the forming the second pot, allowing each player to view their respective X+1 card hand.
 14. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein before the forming the second pot, allowing each player to view their respective X+1 card hand.
 15. The method as recited in claim 10, further comprising: forming a third pot by conducing a betting round among the group; evaluating which player has a better hand based on predetermined rules for an X+2 card hand; and distributing the third pot based on the evaluating, wherein the predetermined rules for the X+2 card hand are different than the predetermined rules for the X+1 card hand.
 16. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the predetermined rules for the X+2 are hand are different than the predetermined rules for the X card hand.
 17. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the predetermined rules for the X card hand comprise forming a best blackjack hand.
 18. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the predetermined rules for the X card hand comprise forming a best poker hand.
 19. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein the predetermined rules for the X+1 card hand comprise forming a best poker hand.
 20. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the predetermined rules for the X+1 card hand comprise forming a lowest poker hand. 